Book Reviews

Book Blurb

An out and proud bisexual UK cop meets closeted gay US cop for snarky conversation and intense stares. But when sparks ignite between the pair, can they stop the heated kisses long enough to find their man?

Paul has three lives: bratty youngest brother of the Owens clan, bed-hopping fun-loving commitment-phobe, and a London police officer.

Skandik has one quiet life as a detective in Wisconsin. He’s nearly forty, deep in the closet, and has no intention of coming out.

Their lives collide when Paul’s brother begs for his help to find his missing fiancé. Paul is dealing with his distraught brother and another country’s officials. Skandik is hunting for the missing man despite Paul's interference at every turn.

Will they find Paul’s brother-in-law alive? Will Paul keep his hands off the hot detective? Will Skandik give in to his deepest desire? Will another Owens boy leave his heart across the Atlantic?

 

 

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, August 2013.

 

Book Review

“The thing about love was that it caught you unawares, turned up in the most unexpected places, even when you weren't looking for it.” ~ Sarra Manning

When Paul Owens flies with his brother, Sam, to hunt for Liam, Sam’s fiancé, he gets more than he is bargaining for when he meets Detective Olaf Skandik. Skandik is one of the officers who takes their report on Liam to determine whether he is truly missing and if they have a case that merits investigation. It’s hard not to be impressed by the tall, handsome “Viking-like” specimen of a man. Paul could not have known where that attraction would lead.

After determining that Liam is truly missing, the police begin an investigation. Not content to wait for them to get back to them, Paul starts snooping around. He finds pertinent information and reports it to the officers. Skandik chastises him for interfering, but at the same time is impressed by his tenacity and ability to come up with information that they had not previously obtained. It is not Skandik’s case, but he promises to look into it for Paul. After this, Paul and Skandik begin to work together and make good progress. Neither can ignore the growing attraction for the other, although neither are able to admit it to themselves, much less to each other.

The men are soon on a first name basis. At first, Paul isn’t sure about Skandik’s sexual orientation, but from some of the lingering looks he has received from him, he guesses that Skandik is gay. Paul is an out and proud bisexual which is apparent from the start. Finally, they have “the discussion” in which Skandik admits that he is gay, but very deep in the closet. It’s something he is determined not to change. In spite of that, Paul decides that he wants to get to know Skandik better, preferably in a biblical sense, keeping it casual, of course. They begin a passionate affair that both agree is a short-term fling, but soon, both men realize that they are in over their heads. Neither have ever felt this way about another person and don’t know quite what to do with it, but declare their feelings for each other and what they can do about their situation of being in two different countries. Skandik admits that he has grown weary of police work and is thinking about getting out of the business. They even discuss the possibility of him coming to Great Britain, but as Paul leaves, Skandik asks him for time to consider it, going as far as to say he is not sure he can pick up and leave his family, even for Paul.

Watching Paul, the “brat” of the family, getting caught in the clutches of love was amusing and satisfying. Sam and Liam are as adorable as ever. Thanks, Sue. This story is a great addition to the ongoing saga of the Owens family. I look forward to getting to know them better.

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 248 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	30-July-2020
Price	$4.99 ebook, $11.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Isle-Wishes-opposites-attract-romance-ebook/dp/B08D7QPF77